Off Grid Living

Box Set

Introduction to Alternative Off-Grid Lifestyle with 90 Steps on How to Build Your Own Backyard Homestead, Live a Subsistence Agrarian Life and Grow Your Own Food

Off the Grid 101

Practical guide how to live a subsistence agrarian life and grow your own food

Table of Contents

Introduction

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Chapter 1 – Your Shopping List

Chapter 2 – Planting by Season

Chapter 3 – Basic Crops and Exotic Fare

Chapter 4 – Vegetarian Recipes

Chapter 5 – Growing Food for Fun and Profit

Conclusion

Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2015 by Green Alpaca Solutions - All rights reserved.

This document is geared towards providing exact and reliable information in regards to the topic and issue covered. The publication is sold with the idea that the publisher is not required to render accounting, officially permitted, or otherwise, qualified services. If advice is necessary, legal or professional, a practiced individual in the profession should be ordered.

- From a Declaration of Principles which was accepted and approved equally by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in that any liability, in terms of inattention or otherwise, by any usage or abuse of any policies, processes, or directions contained within is the solitary and utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances will any legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or monetary loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly.

Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

The information herein is offered for informational purposes solely, and is universal as so. The presentation of the information is without contract or any type of guarantee assurance.

The trademarks that are used are without any consent, and the publication of the trademark is without permission or backing by the trademark owner. All trademarks and brands within this book are for clarifying purposes only and are the owned by the owners themselves, not affiliated with this document.

Disclaimer

While all attempts have been made to verify the information provided in this book, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained within. The information provided in this book is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The reader is responsible for his or her own actions and the author does not accept any responsibilities for any liabilities or damages, real or perceived, resulting from the use of this information.

Introduction

You have selected this book for a reason. The idea appeals to you of starting a home garden to eat off the grid. Your mouth is watering for fresh food or you want a novel way to get outside and exercise. There are many reasons to live an agrarian existence, even in an urban area. Growing your food is the ultimate in self-sufficiency and independence. You depend on no one but yourself for your basic nutritional needs. You decide what to plant and harvest according to the dictates of your soil and your climate. In effect, you are in control.

Growing food is a way to combat the threat of shortages in times of emergency. While that is uncommon in the western world, it is a good practice and there is no guarantee that the need for food from your garden will not happen. It can be a saving grace in certain circumstances, for you and your neighbors. This purpose is thus not to be overlooked. No one wants an emergency, but they do want to be prepared just in case. Part of preparation for the unforeseen is to freeze dry or can foods that will not need refrigeration in case of power outages. That is more likely to happen than a tornado or earthquake.

Having a mini farm is also the ultimate luxury, maybe even self-indulgence. You walk out the door and there are your crops, ripe and ready for picking—Fresh with a capital “F.” You see a salad forming before your very eyes: lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, and the like. Most anything you desire can be made available to you at particular times of the year. You can get exotic with kale or sorrel and sassy with, melon, corn, okra, strawberries, green and red peppers, and squash of varied kinds. Complete vegetarian meals can come from a well-planned garden—and you can’t beat the price.

It is thus more than mere subsistence off the grid. Yes, there are people who grow food out of poverty and hunger, because it is inexpensive. But it is also labor-intense. You would not necessarily choose this life style if you did not admire the values of home farming. If you had no choice, there would be no debate. However, most readers will be seeking advice in starting and growing a great garden, how to avoid pests, and when to reap the benefits. They are affluent enough to make the decision to go to the land for sustenance because of its bounty and joys. And they are legion.

The taste of home-grown fruits and vegetables is superior to anything you can buy in a supermarket. A coop market might be better, but there is still a delay between picking and delivery. There is nothing as fresh as today: picked in the moment and prepared within minutes for your table. Plus, having your own home farm means plenty of good recipes that are as easy to make as they are healthy. You will find a few at the end of this book.

Meanwhile, get ready to shop for the basic garden needs and to feel the earth beneath your fingers as you till the soil, plant the seeds or seedlings, and begin to watch the miraculous process that Mother Nature brings. You will enjoy tending your garden yourself or you can get the kids into the act. The whole family will want credit for nature’s beneficence. They will want to select their favorite crops in any case. There is nothing more joyful than bonding together doing a common chore for the common good.

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Chapter 1 – Your Shopping List

You don’t need a lot of expensive stuff to garden in your own backyard. You probably already have everything on hand. You also don’t need a huge space either. Your garden can be in containers on a patio or in a section of a flower bed. If you are lucky enough to live on acreage, it becomes a larger enterprise. We will assume you have set aside a small area suitable for a single family’s needs. Hand tools are fine, but you will have to crouch down to use them and it can be hard on the knees. But there are times when this is a must. To prepare the soil, we suggest long-handled implements. Here’s what to get to start:

-  Shovel: with long and short handles

-  Trowel and spade set

-  Pruner

-  Weeding tool (or use the good old fashioned method: the hands)

-  3 prong metal rake (it will last a long time)

-  Bags of top soil. Read the label to determine how much it will cover.

-  Seeds or seedlings for the season

-  Garden hose with spray attachment

-  Optional: snug and snail repellent (be sure anything you use is organic and safe)

-  Wire and plastic mesh to cover delicate crops and protect them from insects and wandering pests

-  Garden fabric for frost time

-  Optional trellis for upward growing plants

-  Optional seedling beds with fluorescent lights (if you have a greenhouse, you are set)

-  Sticks to prop up mature plants and twine to attach them

That’s it. You may want a basket to collect your crops as well. Make it fun and buy one that is quaint. Or get colorful plastic pails for the kids. It is more than just planting and sowing. Harvesting is a great time to bond with offspring. Pets even will get into the action.

Chapter 2 – Planting by Season

Many plants—whether fruits or vegetables—grow in most regions with a few variations. Some flourish best in a given climate. You can overcome the odds of a successful crop with the right fertilization and watering. The desert has been known to yield more than cacti. However, there is a calendar to follow to be sure. It goes by seasons. The following is for cool climates.

Spring

In the spring, a great time to start, you can buy your seeds and small plants at any nursery. Tip: If not, you may have done what they do and place vegetables under florescent lights two months or so before the last frost is expected. True farmers know these things! They also know that plastic sheeting will keep soil warm. It is also time to start thinking about setting up a drip irrigation system if your garden is of any real size. It will save time and energy.  Another tip is that cool weather crops can go outdoors in early spring. (More delicate items will need to stay indoors before transplanting.) This includes spinach, peas, lettuce, broccoli, radishes, and cabbage. You will also want to take a look at the condition of any trellises and make needed repairs. Vertical growing plants will thank you.

Summer

Now comes summer. Your cool weather crops will have been harvested. (Remember to read seed package labels carefully!) You will have pulled the remaining leaves and vines and prepared your soil with a shovel and spade. Seedlings will need covering with mesh or netting. Certain birds of prey are strictly vegetarian! As the plants grow, so do their appetites. Tip: Your summer season can easily continue through the fall. Your cool weather crops will overlap a bit with your late summer harvest. Think about when the first frost is likely to occur. You will want to start seeds indoors or in a nursery bed outdoors (you can always buy small plants later as well). You usually plant seeds about three months prior to the season. If you rely on rainfall, you are self-sufficient indeed, but most people have to provide the water. Tip: a good rule of thumb is one inch every week.

In the summer, you also start your organic mulch. It covers your soil and retains moisture. Try to compost if you can to be a true agrarian! As in every season, watch for insects and address any problems before the crop is harmed. Tip: picking certain vegetables when they are young stimulates growth. This includes eggplant, squash, cucumbers, and beans among others.

Fall

When the early frost threatens, now is the time to cover summer vegetables with garden fabric that you can buy online or at a nursery. Beans and peppers are among those to be concerned about. Fall is also the time when pumpkins are ready as are potatoes (including sweet) and onions. Some vegetables are hardy and can withstand a light frost such as carrots and other root crops, and Brussels sprouts. Every season means clean up time in your planting beds and a turning of the soil with mulch (which will protect soil through the winter). Fix any broken trellises or planting bed frames. Wait for fall crops to mature before harvesting for best results.  However, when tomatoes are green, they can be harvested and stored. This way you will not miss your timing in regard to frost.

Adjustments for warm climates

Things are a little different when there is never any frost, or very little of it. You can set plants out earlier in the spring such as corn, melons, squash, beans, peppers, and tomatoes. You mulch as usual to prevent weeks and keep the soil cool from the warmth of the sun. If you are in a desert climate, you will want to shade your plants with cloth. Remember that lettuce and broccoli that are harvested in the winter need to be removed or they will set seed.

Water is always an issue in hot climates. The plants need the same one inch per week mentioned above and tomatoes like even more. Mulch helps with evaporation so renew the layer over your soil regularly. Monitor for insects as always. They will be different in warm climates.

As in any region or season, crops are to be planted in succession. This means that you start to sow while you are harvesting earlier crops like carrots, beans, and corn. Tip: sun-loving plants still need shade in the summer. Come fall you renew the beds and add your compost. Fall is the time for carrots, beets, and what are known as root vegetables. Lettuce is also a fall item. Small plants can be set out. Some people do this with cauliflower, cabbage, mustard, and broccoli. If it is warm, as it often is late fall in the desert, shade your seedlings. So what about winter.

In any climate, it is a great time to decide on spring ideas, maybe try something new from a seed catalog. As always, if you are eager, you start some things indoors and the cycle continues.  Tip: Some fall vegetables will still be maturing and can be protected with fabric or plastic. Meanwhile have fun ordering peat pots and whatever is needed to replace worn-out equipment and supplies. This goes for compost bins as well.

Tips Galore

Every gardener has their secret suggestions. We have tried to gather up some of them to help spur you on to better harvests and more cultivating fun. If you reap good quantities, you will be more self-sufficient as an agrarian spirit.

If you want to acquire that special touch known as a green thumb that people seem to be born with, we can help. Some people seem to have all the luck. Their flowers are more plentiful and their vegetables are bigger than average. It probably has to do with just following the rules and taking the time to do things according to schedule. That means focusing on the task at hand. Otherwise, there are certain extra steps to take to ensure great results and it is not just a matter of planting by the light of the moon! (This may not actually be an old wives tale. It is said that it helps plants grow faster and healthier. It’s worth a try.)

Believe it or not: you get sweeter cucumbers by planting them near sunflowers.

Egg shells make great fertilizer.

Substitute chamomile tea for water or “cooking water” from pasta. It contains nutrients. Either way it should be at room temperature when used. Obviously this will apply to small areas of your garden, perhaps for those very special items.

Shorter plants are best placed on the garden’s south side. When tall plants are put on the north, they will not overly shade their smaller brothers.

Chapter 3 – Basic Crops and Exotic Fare

Growing vegetables is a most satisfying experience with obvious practical value. It is fun to be off the grid once in a while. Markets can seem so antiseptic! Nothing looks like it actually came from the earth. It looks like it came from a factory. It is too perfect and too bland.

I like to think of vegetables in categories. We all know what we like to eat and what is easy to grow in our neighborhood on this planet, but a little knowledge is useful when reading up to get tips and tricks. There are dozens and dozens of possibilities when planting a garden. Why not get adventurous and try something new. Ask for help at the nursery or talk to neighbors. It’s a great way to make new farming friends. You can also exchange crops and canned preserved fruits and vegetables, especially at holiday time.

A word of praise for vegetables is long overdue. Think about the great nutrition you get plus vitamins, minerals, and fiber. You can’t eat enough of most of them! You are advised to eat several servings a day, alternating with fruit. A strict high protein diet is not the healthiest for most people in terms of good digestion and disposal of bodily waste.

Nightshade vegetables: tomatoes, chile peppers, and potatoes

Bulb vegetables (that add flavor): onions, chives, leeks, scallions, shallots

Inflorescent vegetables: artichokes, cauliflower, broccoli

Fruit vegetables (in both categories): eggplant, cucumbers, avocados, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes

Root vegetables (the edible part is underground): carrots, turnips, parsnips, jicama, potatoes, radishes, celery, asparagus, etc.

Leafy vegetables (also called potherbs and are high in water content): lettuces of all varieties, spinach, kale, kohlrabi, Chinese greens, radicchio, cress, cabbage, arugula, etc.

Peppers: green, yellow, red

Melons: watermelon, honey dew, casaba, cantaloupe, winter melon, etc.

Low carb vegetables: cucumbers, bean sprouts, beets, asparagus, mushrooms, onions, etc.

Starchy vegetables: while most vegetables are good for you, cooked or raw, some are not advised for people with high blood sugar. Avoiding them also helps with weight control. Items in this category include beans, corn, and potatoes. Eat them in moderation.

Low-cal vegetables: celery is a winner with only 8! Yams have the most at 110. In between are asparagus (26), broccoli (32), mushrooms (15), sprouts (43), tomatoes (18), carrots (32), sweet corn (24), radishes (13), spinach (23), and pumpkins (12). Load up with no guilt!

Exotic gardening ideas

Most people plant the obvious choices and for good reason. They like salads and raw snacks of celery or carrots. You can get more exotic, however. When this word arises, you automatically think of flowers and you would be correct. However, we will use it for vegetables and fruits you can grow in your yard that are not run of the mill. Kumquats would be an example or quince. Even planting walnut trees or plums is different. Chinese greens might be on your list. If you really want a culinary adventure, try kohlrabi, rhubarb, romanesco (kind of a hybrid cauliflower), oca, salsify, celeriac, sunchoke, nopales (a variety of edible cactus), cassava, yardlong, and fiddleheads. If these names haven’t deterred you, you might be surprised how much you like them. If nothing else, they are great conversation starters at a dinner party!

Get in the gardening spirit

Whenever you garden, and no matter how little, it is a wonderful practice that anyone can enjoy. You may be serious about using the land, avoiding chemicals and processed food, being eco-friendly. These are great, sometimes noble reasons. Gardening may even be part of your philosophy of a natural life. Or you earn for a rustic experience. It can also be a way to enjoy the outdoors and utilize land lying fallow. In any case, put on some music, don those gardening gloves, and start sowing.

Some people attest to a spiritual experience while gardening. They feel in touch with nature and the universe. They say they are more fulfilled. What a great way to fight anxiety and stress. We all need an escape from the rat race, even those with a gentle routine. Experts also say that working in the backyard is great for the health and promotes well-being. Just stopping to appreciate things can do wonders. The feel of dirt is therapeutic and the touch of ripe produce is magic. It is all about the relaxing sights, sounds, and smells.

Another side benefit of all that bending and moving is better physical fitness and flexibility. At first your back may complain, but as you learn how to manipulate your body and bend those knees, you will soon feel fit as a fiddle. Okay, so it isn’t pumping iron, but exercise is exercise in any way, shape, or form. Pushing a wheelbarrow is as good as lifting some weights, and carrying seed beds requires strength. It approaches a cardio workout if you don’t dawdle. Digging and weeding may not be fun, but it is effective.

People also like to garden to ward of “attention fatigue” from too much computer or tablet time. Doing something so opposite of the norm is the panacea for anything that ails you. All in all, it sounds like gardening is the wonder antidote to modern life. Yes, we agree. Studies on brain health show that time spent planting can ward of dementia, even if started at an advanced age. People in their sixties and seventies had a 40% average lower risk with regular gardening since it is physical and mental. Amazing!

On the topic of health, the nutrition afforded by home gardening is beyond compare. There is nothing fresher anywhere. Vegetables and fruit can help prevent some cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. They do not contain cholesterol and you can’t really  overeat the low-carb ones. They all boast of few calories but lots of amino acids. Gardeners tend to eat better than most people having ripe fruit and produce right at home. You walk outside to do your grocery shopping. Kids will learn to enjoy vegetables in principle when they participate in their growth. They show a more adventurous spirit about food than others their own age. A side benefit is that everyone likes to cook when it comes to farm-fresh fare.

Chapter 4 – Vegetarian Recipes

Recipes sure to please include everyone’s favorite ingredients. Experiment on your own for endless garden pleasure. You will feel healthier and happier to be sure.

French Green Bean Salad with Pears and Parmesan

Makes a large quantity suitable for a group picnic: ten servings

3 pounds haricots verts or other slender green beans, rimmed

10 tablespoons walnut oil

6 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar

¼ cup olive oil

6 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 

6 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

4 tablespoons minced fresh shallots

1 cup small fresh basil leaves

4 small, firm ripe pears, peeled, cored, cut into thin strips

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 3-ounce piece Parmesan cheese, shaved with peeler

Cook the haricots verts in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp about six minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Set aside. (You can prepare a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Whisk walnut oil, vinegar, olive oil, chives, parsley and shallots in large bowl. Add the haricots verts, basil, pears, and walnuts. Toss gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with Parmesan and serve.

Vegetable Casserole

Select any fresh vegetables from the garden such as cherry tomatoes, asparagus, eggplant, zucchini, onions, celery, and more. Add mushrooms and cheese as follows:

Cook asparagus until just tender in boiling, salted water. Set aside. Sauté other vegetables in butter with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Take baking pan and place 4-5 pats of butter at the bottom. Start layering the vegetables with cheese as follows:

Swiss cheese sliced thin (or cheddar if you like)
eggplant or preferred vegetable mixture
mushrooms
whole or cherry tomatoes (can substitute canned)
more cheese or a different kind such as Jack or Muenster
asparagus
another layer of vegetables
3 eggs beaten with ¼ cup milk
Rest of asparagus
grated cheese and paprika

Bake for ½ hour to 45 minutes in moderate oven or until eggs have set. Enjoy.

Banana Squash for Kids

Bake or microwave enough squash for the family. Butternut is a good choice or even spaghetti squash for a little fun. Kids like things with a sweet taste and this recipe is still healthy. In a bowl, mash the soft pulp. Add butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Place in casserole and bake at 350 degrees until melted.

Broccoli with Lemon Sauce

Whole broccoli from the garden
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup flour
2 cups cream
2 tablespoons chicken stock mixed into 1 ½ cups boiling water
4 tablespoons Sherry optional
4 tablespoons lemon juice
pepper
½ cup grated cheese
1 cube butter

Cook broccoli or microwave until tender. Some people like it more well done. Mix the ingredients well. Poor over broccoli and serve.

Summer Salad with Watermelon

Serves 6

1 cup olive oil
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons white vine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 small red onion(shallot), minced
1 chile paper, stemmed and sliced into half-rounds
1 small watermelon without seeds
feta cheese, sliced into wedges
2 small bunches arugula

In a cruet, mix oil, juice, vinegar, thyme, onion, and chile (optional). Shake well.  Season with salt to taste. Chill in refrigerator. Slice watermelon into 3 inch squares. Assemble salad: Put one piece of watermelon on one piece of feta cheese. Repeat. Drizzle with vinaigrette dressing and garnish with arugula and sliced chile (optional).

Field Salad

A field salad is a fancy name for a mixture of different types of lettuce such as Bibb, arugula, iceberg, and cress. You can then add color with tomatoes, radishes, corn, and even strawberries. Raspberry vinaigrette dressing is wonderful for a nice change of pace.

Tips

Cooking methods: you can, of course, eat your veggies raw, with or without that delicious onion dip. Don’t forget to wash thoroughly. You can boil them, broil them coated with olive oil, steam or nuke them. Sauté them in butter, Pam, or a light oil. Add dill weed to zucchini squash and lemon to broccoli. Consider other condiments to taste. Mix vegetables for color on your plate and to amuse the kids. Let them come up with oddball creations.

Some eating tips include the following: do not eat yellow broccoli pods, do not eat cauliflower if you have gout, red urine will happen when you eat beets, scented urine comes with asparagus, rashes are possible with endives, spinach is not recommended for those with kidney disease.

Grow plenty of tomatoes as there are thousands of wonderful and healthy salad recipes around. Check online or in food magazines. You can slice them along with some sweet red onion, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil topped with balsamic vinaigrette. You can put them with avocados in guacamole, or you can make a spicy fresh salsa. You can make sauces for meatballs and garnish any hors d’oeuvre tray. Have fun with this favorite ubiquitous fruit.

Chapter 5 – Growing Food for Fun and Profit

Do you have the itch to show off your goods? Everywhere farmer’s markets are springing up so people can enjoy local produce and canned preserves. It is a veritable treat. You can participate if you have an abundance of crops and you want to make a little extra cash. You might find that it grows into a real enterprise. People love regional fare and local restaurant chefs depend on it. You can have a small or large garden—it doesn’t matter. What you produce will be greatly appreciated. All you need to do is find out the days when the regional market is offered and get the rules for setting up a booth.

Sometimes you need to rent space or pay a fee. If you want to get more economical, you can sell to another “farmer” like yourself and share the costs. You will soon learn the ropes: what people like and the prices they are willing to pay. Make a sign and learn to engage people with stories about your garden. It is helpful to be personable, especially if there are competitors with the same goods. Making your table or booth attractive will help move your items quickly. If you have fruit trees as well as vegetables, separate your crops into areas, again with posted signs. Have simple bags on hand to pack the purchases. Most people will bring their own.

Participating in a local farmer’s market will be an enjoyable social experience and you can make friends and share stories. Plus you can make enough to at least offset your gardening costs, and maybe earn some extra money to buy new tools! If you really get into it, you can go to other regions on your off days. You may find yourself at the head of a mini empire in no time at all. Tip: If you sell mason jars with canned fruit or vegetables, tie raffia round it and place a few dried flowers on it. Describe the item carefully using a nice personalized label. Good visuals sell! Make a cute illustrated quaint sign and watch people come to get a closer look.

Conclusion

You have been exposed to the basics of living off the grid by doing your own home gardening. I hope you are excited about the prospect of planting and picking that we have outlined and presented in brief easy-to-read form. It is fun, relaxing, and a great pastime for everyone. It is also a necessity for some as you know. The rest of us simply love the feel of the earth between our fingers and the joy of watching things grow. We like the surprise each season of what nature will bring. We like the process of buying seeds or small plants and making nice, even rows. We like weeding and otherwise tending the young shoots, protecting and nurturing them like a parent. Most of all, of course, we like the full-blown crops. It is exciting to witness the marvels of nature and your own personal handiwork.

But we can’t get too excited about it, even as city folk because it is a means of subsistence off the grid so to speak. We eschew the bland produce of the supermarket and want something healthier without pesticides and toxins all over it. Let us not forget that growing food is vital for some people in remote regions who do not have access to what we take for granted. With newfound respect you can take on a new and pleasant chore that will provide sustenance year-round.

So with your shopping list in hand and a plot selected in your yard, you are ready to begin. Farmers are the salt of the earth and you will soon understand why. Food is the essence of existence along with water and shelter. You can’t take it for granted. You must respect the growing process and the work it takes to succeed. You will be warding off pests and supplying needed water and nutrients. You will learn a whole new level of personal responsibility in the process. This, by the way, is a great lesson for kids. They can be assigned basic tasks, not the least of which is cleaning and preparing vegetables and fruit for the family table.

We have provided a very basic outline of home farming and there are certainly others. Specifics can be a matter of opinion and experience. At the least, you have some motivation for getting started, knowing that it is very possible to create a great garden that feeds many. It is an independent, self-satisfied feeling to be sure. An agrarian existence is a contradiction, perhaps, to the modern way of life and man has been evolving away from it across the globe. But it is nothing to scoff at. It is an indulgence for the urban dweller but a necessity in the third world. With this book, I hope you have come to respect the practice and can see it with new eyes. Meanwhile enjoy that salad and those veggies that grace your dinner plate. Get creative with your harvest or learn to can and freeze to save your excess for the off season. That is an entirely different story, but it comes with the territory. Seeing shelves stacked with preserves is delightful indeed.

Gardening Hacks

55 Do It Yourself Cool Hacking Tips and Tricks for Organic Planting

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 –Getting Started With 10 Easy Tips

Chapter 2 –Ten Hacks That Help With Weeds and Pests

Chapter 3 –Fifteen More Cheap Hacks That Will Help

Chapter 4 –A Melting Pot of 20 Additional Hacks

Chapter 5 –Some More Pointers for Organic Planting

Chapter 6 –Mistakes Every Beginner Gardener Should Avoid

Conclusion

Copyright Notice

© Copyright 2015 by Green Alpaca Solutions - All rights reserved.

This document is geared towards providing exact and reliable information in regards to the topic and issue covered. The publication is sold with the idea that the publisher is not required to render accounting, officially permitted, or otherwise, qualified services. If advice is necessary, legal or professional, a practiced individual in the profession should be ordered.

- From a Declaration of Principles which was accepted and approved equally by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.

In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

The information provided herein is stated to be truthful and consistent, in that any liability, in terms of inattention or otherwise, by any usage or abuse of any policies, processes, or directions contained within is the solitary and utter responsibility of the recipient reader. Under no circumstances will any legal responsibility or blame be held against the publisher for any reparation, damages, or monetary loss due to the information herein, either directly or indirectly.

Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

The information herein is offered for informational purposes solely, and is universal as so. The presentation of the information is without contract or any type of guarantee assurance.

The trademarks that are used are without any consent, and the publication of the trademark is without permission or backing by the trademark owner. All trademarks and brands within this book are for clarifying purposes only and are the owned by the owners themselves, not affiliated with this document.

Disclaimer

While all attempts have been made to verify the information provided in this book, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter contained within. The information provided in this book is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The reader is responsible for his or her own actions and the author does not accept any responsibilities for any liabilities or damages, real or perceived, resulting from the use of this information.

Introduction

The organic revolution has taken over the world. This is because of the improved quality of life that you can enjoy by consuming organic products. You must know also therefore, that many people have opted to actually grow their own organic produce.

There are ways to make this experience easier for you though, and there are also mistakes to be avoided, if you are to make a decent go of these organic expeditions. This tutorial will show you some of these tips and tricks that will help you to make organic planting an enjoyable experience.

You will be walked through the various stages of planting too, from your starting point, to your fertilizing stages, from your crop yields to your composting, and you will have a well-rounded approach to organic planting. This will serve you well in your efforts too, and you will soon enjoy the fruits-and vegetables-of these efforts!

The following 55 hacks are by no means exhaustive, and you can find a whole lot more with just a simple search. However, the following hacks will get you started, and you will be given the ultimate starter kit for you do it yourself organic planting.

Keep this book handy as you progress through your efforts too, and let this be your companion guide to organic planting. You will soon see that the fruits of this labor of love are worthwhile, and you will grow in skill and knowledge as you watch your seedlings sprout, and then watch your tender plants mature into a fully-fledged crop that will satisfy your green thumb as well as your plate, and you will become an avid gardener in the process!

Chapter 1 –Getting Started With 10 Easy Tips

It is time to get you started on your road towards organic planting. There are many tips and tricks that we can teach you, but these are among the best hacks around today. Starting your garden might be daunting, but we will start with the basics first, and build you up slowly, progressing with you, as you watch your garden grow!

It might seem overwhelming at first and incredibly pricey too, but you really have nothing to worry about. These easy hacks will make your life a whole lot easier!

Hack #1:

A good first tip is to up-cycle your seed-starting pots! To start off with, you can punch holes in the bottom of egg cartons, or you can use clam-shaped plastic containers that you get with some of your groceries. When your plants get a little bit bigger, you can use yoghurt containers with holes punched in the bottom for the transplanting of these plants, until they are mature enough for your garden!

Hack #2:

Create germination stations by placing your plants on top of an existing heat source in your home, such as a heat vent or your refrigerator. This will save you from buying those expensive seed-starting mats!

Hack #3:

Split the center of your plant’s stem, a trick known as pinching, encourages the growth of new sets of leaves, essentially restarting your plant’s growth on the right track. This will help you in the event of your plants taking a UV tumble!

Hack #4:

Leggy plant starts often wobble, and they can also fall over. You can save these leggy starts by simply angling the plants while keeping their roots shallow. The ample natural sunlight that the plants will get when you move them outside will encourage them to grow upwards, eventually!

Hack #5:

To tell you clearly, you already also have the tools needed for your gardening right in your home! For example, you can create a seed sower by pushing old wine corks into your garden rake. Do this at the depth that you intend to sow your seeds and you will be well on your way to sowing your seeds with ease.

Hack #6:

You might need a row cover, especially where protection and greenhouse humidity are required by your plants to thrive. Store-bought row covers can be expensive. Simply using wood foundations, the length of the row you wish to cover, bending PVC piping to create your canopy, and then using tarp with holes in it, or even an old white bed sheet, you can create a row cover that offers you sufficient protection.

Hack #7:

Create temporary greenhouses when you need to cover just a few plants. Use recycled milk jugs or very large water bottles, cut about two thirds from the top. Insert a hole in the top for air, placing the container over the plant, ensuring that you have enough room for the plant’s growth. This is especially useful when you need to transplant seedlings.

Hack #8:

Garden stakes support your plants, and you can create these by sharpening scraps of wood. You can attach the plant to these makeshift stakes easily by using the wire ties from store-bought bread bags. Another option is to use old panty hose, cut into strips, to tie your plants to these homemade stakes.

Hack #9:

You can create fertilizer by using compost tea! A mixture of dandelions and herbs, or your compost pile, can be the basis for your compost tea. Nettle, parsley, comfrey and dandelions in about five quarts of water, left to steep in the sun for a few days, at least until the flowers begin to break through, will make you your tea. After you strain it, you simply pour this tea into your soil.

Hack #10:

Finally, you can use lemon rind to start your seedling! Cut the lemon in half and dig out the contents. Fill it with soil and plant your seed. This offers you a number of benefits, from organic fertilizer to keeping the soil moist. You will also find that your seeding sprouts a little faster if you start it out this way!

Alright, now you have your garden started. Along with your plants though, you will find that weeds grow as well. You might also find that pests are attracted to your new garden, and the damage caused by these intruders is easily seen, and quickly felt. There are a couple of hacks however, that you can use to rid yourself of these unwelcomed visitors, and the next chapter gives you a few of them.

Chapter 2 –Ten Hacks That Help With Weeds and Pests

Pests are a frustration, especially when they have completely destroyed your garden. Equally frustrating is the discovery that weeds have invaded your beautiful garden, and are literally choking the life out of your plants. Using the simple hacks that follow will give you a measure of control over these intruders, and you will be saved a lot of time and huge amounts of money too!

Hack #11:

Aphids do not like coffee! Using coffee ground mulch in moderation can not only deter aphids, but it can also provide you with a healthy nutrient source for your soil. You don’t even need to use fresh coffee beans, as this can be an unnecessary expense for you in your startup garden. After you have had your morning coffee, just use the leftovers from your coffee pot to mulch around your plants. It also gives your garden a unique and inviting smell, something that most mulching materials definitely do not provide!

Hack #12:

You can also naturally deter aphids with the use of some of the spices in your kitchen. Mix jalapeno seeds, crushed garlic, cayenne pepper and water in a mason jar. Set this mixture in the sun for a few days. Then, all you do is use a recycled spray bottle to dispense this spicy aphid spray over plants that are susceptible to these pests.

You can also aphid-proof your garden by planting scraps of garlic around your plants. Onions or single-clove garlic can also be used as companion plants to those plants that are attractive to pests. Tobacco and diluted laundry detergent sprayed on the leaves of your plants are also great ways to get rid of pests!

Hack #13:

Caterpillars also cause great problems for gardeners. You can make a simple marigold caterpillar repellent in your own home, and eliminate this problem.  This is made by simply mixing two quarts of water with crushed marigolds! This liquid is then poured directly onto the soil where you are prone to attacks by caterpillars. Caterpillars and other pests can also be discouraged from entering your garden by simply planting marigolds around your garden!

Hack #14:

Ants are another problem that gardeners face. Once these pests have infested your garden, they are nearly impossible to get rid of. Colonies of ants can be deterred by simply boiling citrus leaves in water, and pouring this mixture over the parts of your garden that are susceptible to these colonies. Funny enough, even the water left over from boiling sweet potatoes also works to rid yourself of ants.

Hack #15:

Active involvement is needed too in the elimination of pests from your garden. You need to watch for pests in your garden, and sometimes you need to use your own hands to rid yourself of these intruders. Pest pokers made from old wire clothing hangers for example, can be used to effectively dispatch caterpillars from your garden!

Hack #16:

While you might find weed pulling to be a mundane activity at best, you must know that this process can be made exponentially easier with the use of some items you already have at your disposal in your kitchen. For example, a teaspoon of sugar poured on a damp weed will fizzle out the root and prevent it from growing further!

Hack #17:

Boiling water poured directly on weeds will also control them. This will control weeds, but be sure to avoid the roots of your other vegetables and herbs. Boiling water can have an adverse effect on your plants, the ones that you are trying to save from your weeds!

Hack #18:

Mixing water with molasses and vinegar can also destroy weeds. These mixtures do not, however, penetrate the root system, so they might not completely eliminate the problem!

Hack #19:

Using mulch can be very effective at the removal of weeds. It can, however, be very expensive. A great alternative is hay or wood shavings, or coffee beans used over recycled newspaper can be a cost-effective alternative. This is a phenomenal way to add to your garden’s organic matter!

Hack #20:

Mushrooms are usually a sign of healthy soil, but they can also be an unsightly annoyance. Simply sprinkling cinnamon on them can prove to be a very effective fungicide.

These hacks will see you better equipped for the invaders that are probably threatening your garden already. You should apply some if not all of them, so that you can keep yourself safe from the invaders that are just waiting for an opportunity to creep up on you, and totally annihilate your efforts at creating the perfect organic crop.

Chapter 3 –Fifteen More Cheap Hacks That Will Help

Some of the hacks out there cost a little more than others. Here are a few cheap ones that can make your experience easier. They are so simple and straightforward in fact, that you will kick yourself for not thinking of them earlier. Some of them might already be a part of you artillery, you are definitely ahead of the curve!

Hack #21:

Are you aware, for example, that you can start your basil plants from the one you bought at the grocery store? Yes, simply put them in containers with water, and as soon they develop sufficient roots, you can transplant them into pots, or into your garden!

Hack #22:

You can also run tests before the main event! Test old seeds by planting them on a wet paper towel first, just to be sure that they are worth planting. Sometimes seeds are duds, and therefore, before you go through the effort of planting them in your garden, or in expensive flower pots, it will serve you to test these seeds before planting!

Hack #23:

You can make cut flowers last longer by adding a little vodka to them. That’s right, a shot of vodka isn’t just good for giving you a lift, but it can make your cut flowers last longer too. This is not a tip for organic planting but think about the extra time you will have to focus on your garden when you don’t have to worry about your wilting flowers!

Hack #24:

Use beer to repel slugs! You simply put a glass in the soil between your plants, so that you keep the rim of the glass slightly above ground level. Then you fill the glass with beer, and watch how the slugs will stay away. Beer might be tempting to you, and you might be drawn to this beverage. Slugs though, are repelled by the smell of beer!

Hack #25:

Planting clay pot ollas in your garden will cut your water bill in half! These will catch water and keep it, so that you do not have to water your garden every day. You will just have to make sure that these ollas are planted in such a way for them to catch runoff water from the rain, or water that you use to hydrate your garden with a hosepipe!

Hack #26:

You can even use eggshells to start seeds. Just fill the broken shell with some soil and plant your seed. When you see it growing, and once it is mature enough for transplanting or if it has run out of space in the shell, you can simply move it into a bigger pot, or into your garden!

Hack #27:

Making a drip-free watering can from an old milk jug! When you have a small garden without the ability or space for a large watering can, then you can use this hack effectively. You punch a few holes in the lid, and then, all you will do is fill it, and then replace the lid. You can then pour this spray of water directly on the parts of your garden that you wish to water.

Hack #28:

Keep mosquitoes away by filling a container with mosquito-repelling herbs, such as catnip, lemon thyme, lemon balm, and citronella geranium. This will create a much more comfortable gardening environment for you and you will also enjoy the benefits in your home too!

Hack #29:

Use shower caddies to make hanging gardens, for herbs and other small plants.

Hack #30:

Shoe racks also make excellent hanging gardens for herbs and small plants!

Hack #31:

Baking soda can sweeten your tomato plants. Really! Try it, you can thank us later!

Hack #32:

Flower pots lose a lot of water. Retain water in your flower pots by using coffee filters!

Hack #33:

Old toilet paper rolls make great biodegradable planters!

Hack #34:

Shoving tightly rolled toilet paper in the soil, and then dipping the end in a glass of water, will keep your plants hydrated while you are away!

Hack #35:

Shovels and labels can be made by cutting old milk jugs!

Now you have more hacks to apply to your gardening efforts. Let us go through a couple more, just to make sure that you are really fully equipped for your organic planting experience!

Chapter 4 –A Melting Pot of 20 Additional Hacks

Finally, here are twenty more hacks that you can use to enhance your organic gardening experience!

Hack #36:

Using diapers laid out in the bottom of your flower pots will keep them moist for days!

Hack #37:

You can use old wellington boots to create beautiful mounted gardens. Simply fill the boot with soil, and plant our seeds, then use hooks or wire to mount these boots on the fence or wall!

Hack # 38:

If you have unplanted seeds, you can store these in a photo album, marking them for quick and easy reference!

Hack #39:

Put eggshells in your garden instead of throwing them away. You can see the benefits of this quickly, as the eggshells break down, the add nutrients to the soil, and also help with water retention!

Hack #40:

You can also grow green onions from fresh ones. You do not need seeds to grow onions, simply cutting the bottoms off fresh onions and drying them. Then you plant them, and a few days later, you will see them sprout.

Hack #41:

Using old wine bottles to edge off your garden, you will see that your garden remains moister for longer, and also it makes for interesting borders.

Hack #42:

You can use your old t-shirts to hold your tomato plants upright!

Hack #43:

Use a planter stand, a water tray and a fern to make a beautiful bird bath. Birds will help to control pests in your garden!

Hack #44:

Use essential oils and water to make effective sprays for your plants!

Hack #45:

Sharpen your tools and keep them clean by storing them in in a planting pot filled with abrasive sand!

Hack #46:

Use tape and paint to give your planter pots a quick makeover!

Hack #47:

You can use an old cardboard drinks holder to plant your start up seeds!

Hack #48:

If you have a random box that is in your storeroom, one that you perhaps purchased from a flea market, then you already have a suitable space for a small herb garden!

Hack #49:

Before planting your seeds, soak them in warm water for about 24 hours. They will grow much better!

Hack #50:

In your herb garden, you can use a permanent marker to write the names of these herbs on plastic forks, and then dig these forks into the ground, marking out where each of these herbs occurs!

Hack #51:

A pretty way to mark your various crops is to use rocks and stones that you find outside. Simply paint these rocks with waterproof paint, writing the name of the crop on it, and placing it in the soil with the label side up!

Hack #52:

Garlic is a popular culinary ingredient. You can multiply your garlic crop by taking an organic garlic bulb, breaking it down to reveal its cloves, planting each clove with its pointed tip towards the sky, and covering these cloves. Then you can relax and watch them grow!

Hack #53:

Potatoes are an exceptional crop to start your organic experience. You can plant these flexible vegetables anywhere, even in a wire cage, no bigger than the one you would use for tomatoes. Fill the cage with soil and hay, creating the ideal environment for the growth of potatoes!

Hack #54:

With space being a huge problem particularly for urban growers, you can grow vertically to overcome this issue! Using materials that are easily available, like PVC piping, duct tape and rubber tubing, you can create quick, stable vertical planters, ideal for crops like strawberries!

Hack #55:

You can enhance you crop yield by using an Alaska Grow Basket! In these contained growing environments, the vinyl tubing system delivers concentrated amounts of plant food to your crops, and also makes use of a self-watering irrigation system, which makes sure that your crops are constantly fed, watered and drained!

Let us now quickly go through some final pointers for organic planting!

Chapter 5 –Some More Pointers for Organic Planting

These 55 hacks should set you on your way towards organic planting. You can start very quickly and you can start to enjoy your garden as quickly. Here are a few final pointers for organic planting!

Firstly, you can use Aspirin to fight disease in your plants! Dissolve one and a half aspirins in about two gallons of water, shake it, and then pour this solution directly over your garden. This will strengthen your plants against diseases!

Plants growing inside need to be kept at a constant temperature of no less than 65 degrees, so you would do well to invest in a thermostat! Set your thermostat to anywhere between 65 and 75 degrees, ensuring that you keep a consistently warm environment that will encourage your indoor plants to grow!

Compile your compost pile from equal amounts of green and dried plants! Green components can be anything from grass or weeds even, and the dry components can be paper shreds, sawdust or straw. Even cardboard can be used as a dry component of your compost!

You must also keep track of your tools. There is no greater waste of time that to constantly search for gardening tools whenever you are thinking of working in your garden. If you organize your tools, then you will work with a greater efficiency in your garden!

Finally, make a careful consideration of the season as well as the climate when it comes to watering your plants! You must know that the amount of water required for your plants will vary depending on your climate. The time of day, and also the type of soil that you use will also have an impact on the water that you use, or rather the amount of water you use!

As a rule, you must expect that you will make some mistakes along the way. The following, final chapter, will go through some of the mistakes that you should avoid when you are exploring organic planting!

Chapter 6 –Mistakes Every Beginner Gardener Should Avoid

Gardening is an adventure, one that is well worth the time and energy it takes to get it right. You might find that you make some mistakes in the beginning, but there is nothing to worry about. These mistakes are easily fixed, and then you will soon be back on track with your gardening experience, and you will be well on your way to produce crop after successful crop!

Be careful not to start too big!  When you see pictures of perfect fruit and vegetables in gardening magazines and catalogues, you might be tempted to order far more varieties of these than your space can permit. You will experience burnout and incredible frustration if you try to plant too large a garden to begin with.

So, start small in the beginning. Plant a few of your favorites in the first year, ensuring better success, and a more fulfilling experience. You can increase your garden’s size as you gain experience, and you can watch your garden grow with each planting season!  

You need to prepare the soil properly! Your garden has no hope of thriving if you have poor soil. You must, therefore, prepare your soil thoroughly before you start planting. This is because as soon as the seeds start establishing root systems, you cannot disturb the soil, not without endangering the young plants.

You should ideally prepare the soil early in spring, as early as you can without forming mud pies. The soil should be left to rest, until the weather is warm enough to sprout seeds. The weather should also be warm enough to support the young plants’ growth. You will then be able to plant your crop and watch it come to life!

Ignore light requirements at your own peril! When you are selecting your patch for planting, ensure that you choose a spot that has great sunlight. Vegetables specifically need sunlight to grow, and also to process water nutrients and soil. You need to know that some plants require more sunlight than others, and you need to know how much is required by the plants you wish to cultivate.

Check the recommendations on the seed packaging, before deciding on the location for your different plant varieties. You need to check whether direct sunlight or partial shade is required by the plants. The seed packets will tell you what you need to know. You need to plan your garden, giving full-sun spots to the plants that need it!

Avoid over-fertilizing, or under-fertilizing! Many things could go wrong with fertilizer. You can use too little or too much. You can use the wrong fertilizer or get the timing horribly wrong. All of these will inhibit the vigorous growth of your plants. As an example, compost and manure are such incredibly rich sources of nitrogen that using too much on your potatoes could create excessive top growth, delaying the development of the edible tubes just beneath the soil!

You can also over-water your plants. Under-watering them is another problem! Water is essential for the metabolism of nutrients in plants. Different amounts of water are required by different plants however. If you give your plants too little water, this could cause wilting or drying. Plants cannot recover once they become seriously wilted. You can rot the root system with too much watering too. It takes a healthy root system to absorb nutrients, and to hold the plant upright. Your plant cannot survive with a rotten root system!

Another thing to avoid is planting your seeds too deep or too shallow! As a general rule, the larger seeds require more depth. This information is available on the back of your seeds packaging. You need to pay careful attention to this information, or run the risk of your plants failing to sprout, or tiring out before they can reach the surface and have access to much needed sunlight!

Planting bulbs upside down is another common mistake! Bulbs have two ends, one root-growing, and one stem-growing. You need to be very sure which end is which before you plant them in the soil!

You do not want to plant too closely either! Planting or transplanting too closely could lead to fierce competition for nutrients in the soil, from the sunlight, or from water. Remember to read the instructions carefully in order to space your plants appropriately!

If you let weeds grow too large, then you could have serious problems! If you do not pull weeds when they are tiny, you risk disrupting the root system of your other plants. The longer you allow your weeds to grow, the more strength they will develop in their roots, and the more nutrients they will steal from your other plants. You should therefore keep weeds to an absolute minimum, by say, mulching soil around your plants.

Over-mulching is a problem though! Mulching with organic matter keeps weeds from forming. It also helps the soil to retain moisture. You need to take care when using green mulches though, because during decomposition, these materials produce heat, which can kill your plants!

There you have it, all the tips and trick you will need to get going with your organic planting expedition. Enjoy the process as much as you can, and you will soon reap the rewards of this exercise, and be left with a complete sense of accomplishment! 

Conclusion

There you have it. You have been given 55 hacks that you can add to your arsenal in order to create a great platform for your efforts. You have also been taught to avoid certain mistakes, and you have been given the insights that are necessary to make a success of your organic garden. There are really few things as rewarding as planting a seed, watching it grow, and then plucking the fruits of your labor, and taking that first, delicious bite. You will really find satisfaction in few other expeditions in your life.

While this may sound a little dramatic, it really isn’t. Think about it: You take a few seeds and, after preparing your soil, you plant these seeds. Then you take the time to water them and feed them. You fertilize them and add compost, weeding them as you see fit. You then watch the plant grow and develop, and as the fruits start to ripen, you get excited about what you have managed to accomplish. When you finally pluck the fruit, you will know the difference between the organic product in your hand, and the inorganic stuff sold at the supermarket.

Organic fruit and vegetables are available at your supermarket, and you can also get them from specialty stores. Fresh fruit markets also sell organic fruits and vegetables, and they actually use this as their effective marketing tool. However, using these tips and tricks will stand you in good stead to produce your own organic food, even if you want to just provide these for your friends and family. Your health and general well-being will take an extreme knock, in a very good way, if you do.

Look for that patch of earth outside, or look for containers that you can use to get you started, and set out on your organic planting experience. And yes, you can thank us later!

Off Grid Living

Introduction to Alternative Off-Grid Lifestyle: 35 Steps to Build Your Own Backyard Homestead

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 – Things you need to know about off grid lifestyle

Chapter 2 – Is off grid living possible?

Chapter 3 – 35 Steps to Build Your Own Backyard Homestead

Chapter 4 – Three major source of electricity

Chapter 5 – Make a unique off grid home

Conclusion

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Introduction

A lot of people are recognizing the advantage of off grid living. It is not something that is only for paranoids rather it is a possible choice for many who wish to take pleasure in the services of modern day living, but do not wish to spend the cost.

In the beginning, let's explain what After all of "off grid living." Becoming off the grid indicates what it means. You no more suffer from electrical companies so there are no longer electrical charges. Essentially, you will shut off from the utility's power grid, and are independent.

By becoming off the grid, you may save a lot, possibly a lot of money each year, which is also eco-friendly. It is a choice access to any kind of home owner, but most do not actually believe in it.

The basic concepts of off grid living can be utilised to any house in the world, also it does not a matter at what amount they are presently bound to the grid. There are numerous choices to select from ranging from solar power panels and windmills. It does not need to be costly because as the technology developed, expenses go down.

Building a backyard is not so tough. Just you have to work carefully with an instruction. You can save your money a lot by building it and it also offers an attractive looks. You may grow vegetables, fruits as well as other food in your backyard. Then, You may build a farm in your backyard. Here you’ll find necessary things as well as steps to build a backyard. Urban homesteading nowadays is the latest twist on a classic theme. The idea of homesteading is not latest, but recently, with the condition of the overall economy, the attraction for homesteading is becoming new lifestyle, a lot of of the people who are getting them-selves involved, live in urban areas.

Having solar panel and other energy source is very essential for all. You may choose a source that is sufficient for your demand. By doing this, you can reduce your utility charge and it makes you self-sufficient. There are 3 main source of electricity such as Solar Power Panels, Wind Turbines, as well as Geothermal Power.

In this book, you will realize the whole thing about off grid living and can make a backyard easily. So let’s start reading and know many valuable things.

Chapter 1 – Things you need to know about off grid lifestyle

Off-grid living allows you to be independent and as such, you get to be in control of your own life. Of course, the downside to this is, you'll need to accept full responsibility for providing your own utilities and services for which you've become accustomed to paying others for. However, if this seems like an acceptable trade off, it may very well be an ideal solution for you.

With technology continuing to advance rapidly, getting off-grid has never been as easy as it is today. The vast majority of people who seek this type of life usually choose remote areas but unfortunately, such opportunities are fast disappearing. However, innovative people are continuously discovering ways which will afford them the lifestyle they long for without having to move so far away. Living completely off the grid still remains a challenge for those living in cities, but that's not to say it can't be done.

Wind power and solar power are currently the most popular choices for those looking to live off-grid. The effectiveness of these depends largely on the location of your home. For example, solar power won't be much good to those who live too far north as they don't receive enough direct sunlight. Likewise, wind power will only be a viable option to those who live in areas that gets consistent winds. If for example you only get wind when there's a storm, it won't be sufficient to power your home and in fact, high winds only serve to damage the generators, rather than generate extra power.

Ideally, you need to first determine which options are viable in the area where you live. Once you have determined this, you need to establish how good a system you can buy with your available budget. Even with an ideal system you are at the mercy of breakdowns and emergencies and as such, you need to cost in for back-up batteries and fuel.

Remember, batteries are in fact the most costly aspect of any system but then again, they do determine how much power you are capable of storing. Once you go off-grid, you're on your own, with nothing to fall back on. On the other hand, if the power goes down in your area, you'll be one of the few who couldn't care less.

The good news is, the costs involved with regards to going off-grid can be reduced to a certain extent. You will be make savings over a period of time but for the most part, it takes quite a while before a system pays for itself. For this reason, some states are offering tax credits. While these certainly don't cover all the costs of living off-grid, they certainly do help.

4 Great Benefits Off Grid Living

Everyone these days is talking about the current energy crisis and what we can do to solve these concerns.

1. Reduce Our Dependency on The Power Company - Living off the grid allows you to depend only on your own resources and not those of the utility company and the government. Wouldn't you love to eliminate power outages and be in control of your own power?

2. Unlimited Amounts of Natural Resources - If you have your own solar or wind power system it will allow you to have an unlimited amount of power based on the availability of sun and wind in your area. It is so nice to not having to worry about how much power you are using and how much money that is going to cost you at the end of the month.

3.  Saves You Money - Off-grid living saves you money every month by not having to pay for your power usage. It's wonderful to not have that electricity bill show up in the mailbox each month. The alternative power solutions of solar and wind will give you a great return on your investment and your energy costs will soon be zero.

4. A Healthier Environment - Alternative energy solutions like solar and wind will give us a healthier environment for future generations.

So, as you can see, these are four great benefits to living off the grid and using your own homemade renewable energy power systems.

Chapter 2 – Is off grid living possible?

A lot of people are identifying that you may still live a modern lifestyle when enjoying the independence as well as economy of off grid living. What is "off the grid?" This means zero electrical power lines, not any electrical charges, and also being free from utility companies' demands, as well as their ever-rising prices. It is eco-friendly,affordable, if you have a house it will be a choice available at this time.

Off grid living can be achieved nearly all over the world. Even those presently bound to a utility grid will surely have access. Solar power panels, water-power and windmills are the primary options for home electricity, leading to an increasing progression of this kind of living, and breaking free of electricity made by fossil fuel burning energy power plants. Technology in your own home power field has highly developed due to increasing demand, and expenses are actually becoming a lot less now than before.

You will find kits, sources and also guides for persons like you and me. As electricity demands rise worldwide, you may rest simply going off grid realizing that your power charges are dropping and your power source may be stable.

All those electronic devices with the constant little green light usually on steal valuable energy which sums up on your charge. This latest type living experience does not mean giving up the whole thing. It means becoming smarter about what you really have and easy methods to use it.

All off grid power is produced from renewable sources ex: sun, wind and also water. Solar power panels and wind turbines, for instance,generate low voltage current. That consequently is transformed to regular home AC current which is both utilized or kept in battery.

The method is practically automatic and takes little maintenance, besides overseeing your energy needs. The solution to successful off grid living would be to suit the size of the energy system utilized to your actual energy needs. Make sure you take on lots of study, to decide that is the perfect alternative supply to utilize in the local area.The price of setting up alternative energy is dropping all the time, because of technical improvements. There are now even Do-it-yourself by instructions, guides and also video clips available online, that will make,the theory of off grid living a lot realistic, where ever you live in the world.

Off grid living is becoming very popular that even totally transportable, power efficient houses are being made. Same as a caravan, and clearly only made for 1 or 2 people,they will use solar power and passive model ideas to offer off grid living, where you decide to go.

Great efficient houses have been made to fulfill the increasing popularity of off grid living. Set up like mobile houses and travelling tourists and also made for 1 or 2 people,these types of houses utilize solar energy, passive solar model along with a limited natural gas to supply efficient living that moves with you. If you are thinking about off grid living, but want a lot more proof study the matter in web. Good sources can be found and great success stories tell of people who began to take the plunge.

Consideration to the last blackout - looking for candle lights at night, stumbling around, after that going to sleep as you cannot see to work at all. Then think about welcoming the neighbors over to look at their favourite shows at the time of the next blackout. Off grid living is accessible for anybody so you also may appreciate this life wherever you make your house.

Thus in summary, off grid living is not to mean returning to the Dark Years. It basically means learning how to save energy and also utilize it properly. Of course, the personal savings achievable are an essential matter , but more essential are the ecological elements , as off grid living will not increase Global Warming . As a result reduce costs and save the world by going off grid now!

Chapter 3 – 35 Steps to Build Your Own Backyard Homestead

Here I described 35 steps for making your backyard homestead. With these 35 steps, you can be able to make your backyard more beautiful,clean and attractive.

So, Let’s start the amazing 35 steps:

Step 1 : Raised bed

Make a raised bed for your own backyard. A raised bed, basically a sizable growing box, is the final problem solver. It provides perfect drainage, safe from pests, and also easy access to plants. A raised bed is the thing to transform your yard into the farm of your hopes and dreams.

Step 2 : terraced bed

Terracing transforms slopes and peak borders into level beds with sufficient soil for raising fruit and vegetables or attractive plant displays. And Terrace garden beds catch rainwater so that it soaks into the land and can access plant root. Therefore, creating a terraced bed is a great choice available for you. Plants fight to grow in narrow soil on steep slopes that go through heavy water runoff in rainstorms.

Step 3 : Trellis

Backyard trellis is a good solution to save your backyard space that helps growing vegetables, flowers and fruits plants to grow up vertically as well as improve your produce per square feet. You will need a trellis for make your backyard more gorgeous.

Step 4 : have some arbors

Arbors are extremely convenient for a fantastic backyard. You may build or even purchase a few arbors before making your backyard. These enable you to make your garden more beautiful.

Step 5 : composters

Compost is decomposed natural substance. Compost is made from materials like leaves, shredded twigs, as well as kitchen wastes from plants.

To gardeners, compost is known as "black gold" due to its advantages in your garden. Compost is a good material for garden land. Mixing compost with clay-based soils makes them easier to work as well as grow. In sandy soils, the addition of compost enhances the water keeping capability of the land. By mixing the natural thing to the land, compost will help to develop plant growth as well as healthiness.

Step 6 : Have a wooden gate

Wooden garden gates are the standard type of the gate which is yet very generally observed all over the world. While metal or wrought iron gates as well stay widely used, there is some thing about the all-natural features of wood that somehow lends itself a lot more to a garden set up.

Step 7 : make a boundary line

A basic wire gate designed with roses produces a fair entrance and provides a clear barrier without obstructing the view. The entrance yet seems pleasing, in spite of the larger gate as well as arbor behind.

Step 8 : Say It with Flowers

Flowers are always very attractive. What may be much more appealing than a flower-filled entrance to your own backyard? , climbing roses, verbena, as well as foxgloves build a wonderful entrance that simply begs you walk through.

Step 9 : Create a Focal Point

Focal Point is all-natural to look inside a gate. Particularly if it is partly closed. Reap the benefits of that and utilize your gate to frame a stunning look.

Step 10 : Choose a nice color

A regular wooden arbor may mix into your garden. Sure it is shining by using a basic gate underneath and painting it a mischievous color. Create more effective by repeating that color throughout your own backyard.

Step 11 : arrange old trees

Make the most of old tree limbs to make a pretty, rustic entrance to your own backyard. , the rough wood is an ideal partner for the hardly formed flagstone walk.

Step 12 : Design with Shapes

A basic grid design truly comes alive while repeated in the fence, gate, as well as the doorway of a home. The grid design is accented by a rounded shape in the gate and mild curve design included in the sidewalk.

Step 13 : Be Unique

A pleasing gate provides a feel of whimsy to the backyard because it is decorated with old gardening equipment. It is the best way to manage old tools you do not wish to throw away or have to store in the shed.

Step 14 : Choose a Style for gate

You need to pick an excellent gate as well as a style for your backyard garden. Pick a pleasant and attractive style for your garden. An Asian-inspired gate and simple pergola provide a absolutely Eastern feel to this yard. Reap the benefits of structures in your backyard to help enhance -- or build -- a stylistic theme.

Making a basic chicken coop ( Step 15-21 )

Step 15 : Have some materials

List all the materials as well as equipment you will need for your chicken coop. It will be perfect to have obtained the precise dimensions needed to give the perfect house for your chicken so you can estimation the amount elements you have to build it.

Step 16 : Prop Your Coop Up

There are numerous advantages of raising your coop from the ground. It will keep your flock’s feet dry in damp weather conditions, it allows all of them to shift freely around the coop and provides protection from predators. Build your coop a minimum of 2-3 ft above the ground.

Step 17 : Nesting Boxes and Perch Area

Nesting boxes are an important component for any chicken coops. The best nesting box needs to be a minimum of 4 in deep to maintain the eggs secure . Typically, a chicken will lay an egg each 1 to 2 days. Always keep your nesting part sufficient to ensure all your chickens may lay as many eggs as they can. Having a perch part in your coop strategy is essential. Chickens sleep properly on perches. Ensure that you provide your chickens sufficient perch area so items don’t get too small to them.

Step 18 : Appropriate Ventilation

Without appropriate air flow, your chickens can easily get ill from the stale air inside the coop. It is very important to look at this in the style strategy of your coop. Enable enough air flow inside the coop by using a vent or even a window.

Step 19 : Sufficient Insulation

Keep your coops nicely insulated from heat and cool to prolong the life of your chickens. Decide the kind of weather conditions the coop is going to be exposed to constantly and base the insulating elements you will need on that info.

Step 20 : Accessibility

You have to include in your strategy the way to simply get access to clean the chicken coop as well as collect eggs. You don’t wish to work from uncomfortable angles as well as risk harming your-self or even your chickens when bending and leaning over the coop. Set up entry doorways as well as droppings trays for simple cleanup.

Step 21 : Build Your Coop

Since you have all the needed information, equipment as well as elements together, it’s time for you to build your chicken coop in a methodical way by using the step by step process from the coop strategy you made. This might look simple, but a step unappealing may cause you much more work if you choose to build out-of-order. Build the bottom part basis first after that moves up gradually from the ground up. Setting up the doors, windows as well as roofing must be at last.

Step 22 : make a chicken waterer

The Auto waterers as well as feeders for chickens are handy, however they may be quite overpriced. Unfortunately, for a part of the value, you may build an auto chicken waterer (also feeder) in your own home. You may transform a basic 5 gallon container into an auto chicken feeder and waterer with a few small modifications. Having an automatic waterer and feeder in your own chicken coop, you may save your valuable time as well as not have to be worried about your chickens getting pure drinking water.

Step 23 : Build a little Storage Shed

Storage sheds are the best areas to keep backyard equipment, supplies, lawn mowers as well as other outside tools. An 8- by 4-foot shed is simple to build which is long lasting. A lot of people with simple carpentry abilities are able to finalise it in a few days. Lock the dual doors with a hasp and padlock for entry and safety. Include shelving to personalize the shed to your requirements.

Step 24 : Choose light for your backyard

Choosing suitable backyard lights depend upon the obvious elements: price range and space. Most expert merchants store lamp posts, post lighting and outdoor patio lights, as well as portable lower level lights. While the budget will be a big deal, latest low level lightings are the right choice.

Step 25 : choose an Irrigation system

You should have discovered the truth that hand watering every plant will not necessarily help those to have sufficient quantity of soaking. Thus, in this kind of situation, drip irrigation may be useful. It may provide water directly to the roots of the plants.

Step 26 : hydroponic gardening

Hydroponics is proven to have many benefits over land gardening. The growing rate on a hydroponic plant is 30-50% quicker than a land plant, grown up under the qualifications. The yield of the plant is additionally better. Researchers think that there are many causes of the radical variations between hydroponic and land plants. The additional oxygen in hydroponic growing mediums helps you to encourage root growing. Plants with sufficient oxygen in the root system also absorb nutrition quicker.

Building stairs ( Step 27-29 )

Step 27 : Calculating Growth and Run

The first step in making the stairs for a deck is choosing the entire rise and total vertical length the stairs should cover. Lay a straight board on the top of the patio, extend it from the edge, after that measure down to the landing area. Let's think the overall rise is 56 inches. The next work will be to discover the rise of every step. Separate 56 by 7 inches (the rise per step) to get 8. Round right downs to get the steps: 8. To decide the real increase, separate the 56 in by the 8 steps to have 7 in. per step.

Step 28 : Cutting Stringers

Before laying out the steps on a 2 x 12, choose how the stringers would enroll in the deck. They are both connected straight to the rim joist so the highest step is flush with the deck top, or the framing under the patio.

Step 29 : Setting up Treads and Risers

Cut down the risers to duration and secure these to the stringers with two 1/2-in, trim-head patios screws. Notice that we cut the risers as well as trends to overhang the external stringer in one 1/4 in. Then, 1 x 12 cedar cut board would be nailed to the stringer, providing the staircase a much more finalized look.

Step 30 : build a pond

A pond is essential for an organic look. You could choose a location which is secure for your pets. If you are gonna utilize a filtration system or pump, ensure there is electrical facility available. Do not place your pond under a tree; other servicing may be needed.

Step 31 : make a fire pit

Before you begin your fire pit, you’ll wish to check into the leisure fire codes for your area to ensure that a fire pit is accepted (you may call the local fire department if you aren’tdefinitely sure) . You need to make your pit a minimum of ten ft from every building structure, trees, fences, or even additional items in the way . Bear in mind, that you really do not desire anything hanging above your fire pit, thus although a base of a tree is ten ft away, you do not desire for branches hanging straight above the fire pit .

Step 32 : choose a water pump

You need to select as good a pump as possible afford, a less expensive one can look like a discounted but will cost a lot more in the future by not being power efficient. Also it might not be as long lasting as you are likely to require. If your pump stops working as well as breaks down for under five hours the beneficial germs in the filtration process will die after which you can get a build up of ammonia and nitrates which are serious and harmful for your fish. So you need to have a great dependable pump.

Step 33 : build a hive

If you have backyards and understand the importance of bees in the environment will attempt to keep bees for yourself. Bee containers, or hives, nowadays are made to promote the health of the bee society and be appropriate for the beekeeper to remove the honey from the hive with the minimum trouble possible.

Step 34 : create space for kids

Are you searching for easy, cheap solutions to create an organic backyard play area for young kids?

No matter the dimensions of your area - or your financial budget - you may build organic areas of wonder and adventure that engage the senses, induce the creativity and encourage kids to discover as well as explore.

Step 35 : pipes for your garden

If you are not sure which pipe size to utilize, I suggest you apply the bigger size within the recommended range. The lesser the pipe, the lower the force. Additionally, large pipes enable sediment to flow into filters and debris traps so the silt is not funneled into the sprinkler heads or even drip emitters. Lesser pipes often trap sediment, blocking your irrigation process.

Chapter 4 – Three major source of electricity

Looking up additional power options is necessary at present above before, due to the increasing price of oil and risk of Global Warming. With the situations of the World, all of us needs to be searching for the alternate options that are available to us.

The 3 energy resources I am going to focus on already exist for a long time, and also after some time their specific technology and performance raises. These 3 energy resources are Solar Power Panels, Wind Turbines, as well as Geothermal Power.

Solar Power Panels

Solar power was 1st that is used, around one hundred years ago, as the middle of the industrial innovation. Earlier solar power plants were developed to generate steam to energy the equipment of factories. Around this time, Henri Becquerel found out the photovoltaic effect. Photovoltaic is the generation of electrical power right from the solar.

Solar (known as photovoltaic) cells produce around 10-11 watts per square foot as they are installed on your rooftop. The highest volume of solar electricity that may be effectively produced depend on the volume of southerly roof exposure available that is still totally unshaded much of the day. It is advisable to continue being hooked up to the power grid for 2 factors . 1 . They may be needed to buy any additional electrical power which is created from your solar panels. 2 . Days that are gloomy you may have to utilize their electrical power.

Wind Turbines

The utilization of wind turbines may be the best way to offer a source of clear and also renewable power for your house or business enterprise. There are many various wind energy devices in the marketplace at present that can be used to produce energy. Most are affordable and give a considerable amount of electricity for your house or business.

The terms wind power or even wind energy explains the method through which the wind is utilized to produce mechanical energy or electricity. Wind turbines transfer the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy can be utilized for particular tasks, but is most typically familiar with transfer mechanical energy into electrical power. Basically, a wind turbine performs the reverse of a fan. Rather than utilizing electrical power to produce wind, that is which a fan does, wind turbines utilize wind to produce electrical power. The wind changes the blades, which rotate a shaft, which attaches to an electrical generator and produces electricity. One little turbine, below one hundred kilowatts , can be used for houses, telecoms dishes, or even water pumping. Little turbines are usually utilized in connection with diesel generators, batteries, as well as photovoltaic devices.

Geothermal Power

"Geo" indicates "from the world," and "thermal" is about "heat or temperature", thus this kind of power is present under the world. This is how it works: around 4 ft under-ground, the heat of the earth is similar almost all year - around fifty five degrees. Process pumps a fluid via the pipes to soak up the temperature and also brings it back inside. A system known as a "heat exchanger" needs the temperature from the liquid and utilizes it to heat or normally cool, the air inside the house.

It is a bit more complicated than that, because people like it around 70 degree in the winter season, a compressor is required to carry the temperatures of the air up a little bit. However, the total power and cost savings remain considerable.

We could use geothermal power to produce electricity. A geothermal power plant performs by tapping into steam or even warm water reservoirs under-ground; the temperature is utilized to drive an electric generator. A lot of geothermal plants are found in the western Usa, whereas hot water reservoirs are popular. The Geysers power plant in northern Ca is the world's biggest geothermal power plant, generating sufficient electrical power to light up above 22 ,000 houses.

Chapter 5 – Make a unique off grid home

Nowadays, you can make unique off the grid houses. Living off the grid basically means living a life which is self-supporting. So living without relying upon public utility organizations for electricity, water, natural gas as well as sewer. It will be expected that over one billion individuals have adapted this life-style worldwide.

People adapt to this kind of living for several purposes. A little desire to save on energy bills while some wishes to save the planet. You can now produce energy utilizing renewable power resources as solar which make the use of the sun to produce electricity. These types of panels produce enough energy for the house.

A windmill utilizes winds to make electrical power. This power may be used to get pure drinking water from under-ground. It may also serve for running drainage systems as well as like a back-up for cloudy days. Windmills and solar power panels produce clean, low-cost and useful energy. By combining both of these, a house may be totally self-sufficient.

You can contact the various companies that deal in set up of solar power and also windmills for quotes. The other alternative will be to do it yourself. This option allows the customer to create his own solar power panels as well as windmill. This will often be less expensive than purchasing them ready made from retails.

Make an Off Grid Solar Homes System

Do you want to learn how you could build off grid solar houses system your self at your home? A lot of governments all over the world want to influence their individuals to utilizer renewable power systems like solar power panels and also wind turbines to generate electrical power for their houses. They offer home owner lots of advantages like decreased month-to-month energy fees and a better natural environment. It will be extensively regarded as the way to the energy shortage and also increasing pricing problem

1 . How Do You Make your Off Grid Solar Houses DIY?

Before you make one for you, you must first learn how to assess the atmospheric situations around your home regarding the geographic destination which you stay in. Additionally, your own solar panels have to be placed optimally to take the highest benefit of solar power, hence you also have to evaluate how solar energy will be captured during the day. It is usually easy to improve the performance of the devices by attaching on tools and also devices like a battery system.

2 . How Will You Improve the Performance of your own Off Grid Solar Houses?

A great way to improve positions will be to place a tracker that spins the solar panels based on the path that the sun moves. This position of the solar panels in direction of the sun always at daytime highly improves its performance. Solar energy will also be used for its heat features like for heating up the pool area. It is a fantastic option to utilise electronic systems.

3 . Overview of Off Grid Solar Houses Systems

There are several kinds of solar powered options that may work for various reasons based on your requires. For instance, you could build few versions which are able to move and can be delivered around easily. Others like wafer plants are bigger in size and designed to generate a large amount of electrical energy as well as heat for free.

Conclusion

Thanks for downloading and reading this book. Off grid living is a great save for you and your family. You have to manage sufficient energy for your off grid living because you cannot get the facility of utility companies. Energy is the most important thing in this situation. You may choose an energy source like solar panel or windmill. Then, you just have to choose a pure water system for you. So, off grid living is not very difficult, and it saves your money as well. So, Ger ready for off grid living and have some advantages.

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